Chapter 52: Chapter 52

I peeked by my side when a man suddenly threw up on the trash can beside me. The awful stench and noise were evident, and I couldn't help but back away while holding the bride off my nose, acting as if I was scratching it when I was not. When he was done, he gradually looked up then our eyes locked for a minute. He roamed his eyes down to my body then he sniggered.

"Well, what a fine lady you are-" before he could wrap up his commendation towards me, someone blocked him. I heard his voice protesting, but Ethan kicked him from behind then he fell off the trash can, his face landing on his puke. I winced, feeling disgusted for him. Ethan wrapped his arms around my waist and guided me away from the man.

"Here," he told me, offering the juice because I said I was thirsty earlier. I accepted it, then said my gratitudes. He watched me drink the juice while I felt his hand tautening around my waist. I looked at him and saw him looking around the zone. His eyes are squinting.

"Many men are looking at you." he pursed his lips then his fangs slowly emerged. I pinched his arm before he could show them. He cringed in pain, then pouted.

"What was that for?" he asked, curious why I squeezed him. I narrowed my eyes, intimidating him.

"You need to hide that wolf, Ethan. We just moved here. Act like a normal guy." I clarified, easing out his anxiety I might be taken away by another guy.

He scrutinized me under his long lashes that were flaunting. I didn't break eye contact with him. After a minute of staring contest with him, he sighed, admitting his defeat, then looked in the other direction. His hair was covering his other eye. However, he pulled me closer to him.

I shrugged, then just chuckled. I glance to my side to watch the dance floor beside us. We both expected it would be just a typical dinner party for the new arrival of guests, although I didn't expect it to be like this.

The smell of sex is wafting through the air. The aroma of the liquor is making its way into my nostril. Everyone was having fun while chanting to the music lyrics blasting around the whole room. In other words, it was absurd. As if they were animals that have been out of their cage for a very long time.

And I understand Ethan why he's not having fun or looks bothered. People surround us. We had the option to leave the place and return to our room. It's not safe here, and someone might trigger Ethan, and his wolf shape may arise.

However...

"Hello guys, I hope you are having fun. If you are hungry, remember this is the table for the meals. And if you feel like drinking, here are the beverages. The farther side is the alcohol section. You can see partly all you want. Everything is free here! Well, except the space, of course."

The landlord was friendly as she greeted us now and then, ensuring we enjoyed the night. It was so lovely of her, and we couldn't leave early, so we decided to spare some more time here, just bobbing our heads to the music and eating some food.

"I'm getting bored. Let's go home." he was about to pull me, but I stopped him.

"Ethan, we can't," I told him. His brows furrowed, confused why. I gestured my head to our side, motioning him with my eyes to look at what I was pointing to. Looks like he understood what I was trying to point out because he glanced to our side, careful not to get caught.

"The landlord is watching us. It's embarrassing for her to leave right at this moment if she's expecting us to have fun." I took out my phone and then looked at the time. It's ten-thirty in the evening. The night is still young, and you shouldn't hurry. Ethan looks annoyed because his jaw moved.

"What are we going to do here? Join the dance floor? No, what is some maniac out there snatched you away from me? I'm not going to let that happen."

He was paranoid and feared. I stroke his arms with my thumb, then gaze up to his face so he can catch me. He stopped blabbering words and then watched me. His chest was rising and then falling every second. After a minute, he calmed down and then lowered his head.

"I'm sorry, you're right. But I was-"

"Hey!"

I almost jumped in shock when someone hovered over Ethan from his back. Her hands wrapped around his neck, her chest pressed on his back, and her face was inches away from Ethan's. I wrinkled my eyebrows when I saw Criselda looking like a rascal clinging to a tree. What's worst, she also had other companies trailing behind her.

"Hey Ajax, glad you're still here," she told him differently. Something that's like alluring you into her voice. Ethan was surprised to see her. He stood up straight and then guided her down on the floor. Ethan puts his hands on her waist and then looks down at her. However, he immediately let go of her waist and brought his hands to his pockets.

"Oh god, you're right, Criselda." I heard one of her friends whisper while her eyes never left Ethan's.

"Isn't he a goddess? He looks so unreal."

"Fuck, that nose and lips are killing me. I wonder what his tongue can do."

They giggled in a flirtatious way, then high five each other. Criselda smirked as if she was proud that she was right. She suddenly pretends so cutely in front of him, her eyes gleaming, but something tells me it's not her true colors.

"We were wondering if you could join us at our table to have some drink?"

Ethan was quiet for a moment, not knowing what to say to her. I slowly shrank in my spot and silently watched them gather around Ethan, praising and worshipping him. I wanted to do something, but one of Criselda's friends blocked my way and accidentally stomped on my feet. I grunted, which earned their curiosity to look my way.

"Oh, who are you?" a girl with nude lipstick, flocked eyebrows, tight red clothes, and blonde hair looks at me from head to toe. She was smiling, but I knew it was not her genuine smile. I can tell the difference.

"My wife." Ethan chimed in. It somehow released the tension I was feeling. I smiled at him, thankful because he had introduced me.

"Oh!" they look at each other. I could sense the trouble in their eyes when Criselda spoke.

"Your wife can join us if she wants to. But if she's too tired, she can have a rest in the room, and you can join us," she explained as if this resolved all of the problems.

"Ah, you're right. She needs to rest-" I cut Ethan off.

"Sure, I can come with you guys."

I gradually pushed her blonde friend, blocking my way, then slowly crossed the space between Criselda and me.

They all looked at me with shocked expressions when I confronted Criselda. Even Ethan was out of his words when he glanced at me. His eyebrows are almost attached to each other. They must have noticed the tone in my voice changed. Well, who's a sane person would let her husband be surrounded by predators? Obviously, most of the ladies and I wouldn't let myself under the curtains again.

I'm revolted from getting pushed away, being neglected, trapped, and repressed. It's time for me to show them who's the victor here. Criselda arched her left brow, then slowly crossed her arms, low-key challenging me. I tsked. She has the nerves to act like this when she barely even knows Ethan.

"Okay, you can come with us." she glanced at her friends who followed her and then went beside her. They guided us to their table while whispering that I knew who their subject was.

"Natasha."

I shot Ethan a look when he fondled my shoulders carefully. He looked apprehensive, and his expression softened when his eyes landed on mine. He opened his mouth to say something when I pried away from his hold, turning my back on him. I left him there looking stupefied. Keep guessing, you moron. You should have known any better.

He shouted my name, which interfered with the explosion of music. I didn't look back as I followed where the girls' table was. When we got there, they motioned us to sit down, or so to Ethan specifically because they were only looking at him. I noticed the table was positioned on the farthest side of the room. I grunted under my breath but didn't let out a single word. Criselda walked passed by me and went to Ethan's side. She encased her hand around his arms.

"You should sit here with us. Your wife can sit across you," she explained, then pushed him down on the chair beside her friends. They quickly surrounded Ethan, who seemed confused and didn't know what was happening. He looked at me, asking for help, but I just looked at him the other way, avoiding him.

If he doesn't want to, he has the choice to take me and then leave this place. But no, after those girls arrived, he could not decide what is he going to do. What boils my blood is that it looks like he wanted to stay here and enjoy his time with them. He agreed to take me to our room just so he could have time down here.

I couldn't believe him, and at the same time, something inside me plugged my heart.

"So Ajax, do you have any girlfriend before besides your wife?"

"Do you prefer skinny?"

"I think he likes thick. Look at his muscles."

I wanted to holler and tell them they should know their limits, but I couldn't even find my tongue where it went. They all know I am his wife, but they act like Ethan is single. I glanced at him, who didn't know what to answer. I was somewhat disappointed than impairment.

"I'm sorry, but-"

"Oh, what do you think about Criselda?"

They went 'oohs' and 'whoas.' I could feel the rising tension in my system as I watched them cheer for Criselda, smiling smugly while glancing at my spot. I was anticipating his reply. I know Ethan. He shouldn't give a damn care about this nonsense. However, to my dismay, he looked at Criselda and then nodded his head to her.

"She's nice," he said reassuringly. Criselda's friends tease her, making her blush furiously in her spot. I can't believe this. I gulped the lump in my throat and then looked down at the table, trying to conceal my tears, when I saw a cup below me. The aroma of alcohol went through my nostrils. I don't know what transpired to me, but I suddenly lifted the cup and then chugged down the alcohol.

I dropped the cup on the table, tasting the weird flammable liquid. My eyes twitched, then I covered my mouth with my hand, about to vomit, but I restrained myself. Oh god, so that's what it tastes like?

"Natasha." I heard Ethan's voice; he stopped me from drinking this stuff. I slowly glance at him to see him watching me with his sinister stare. He was moving his jaw hard. The veins on his arms are evident. He was fuming mad, but I didn't care. I just shrugged and then continued to drink. The second shot was slightly more potent than the previous one. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

"Is this your first time, Natasha?" one of Criselda's friends asked as she sat beside me. I nodded my head. She giggled, smiling, then offered me another drink.

"Here, have some more," she said, encouraging me to bring the cup to my lips. I stopped myself, trying to think through this. I swallowed, but then Ethan caught my attention when he snarled. I raised my brows when our eyes met. I can sense the intense atmosphere between us as he stares at me. Criselda was trying so hard to catch his attention. I smirked then, without thinking, drank the third shot.

The liquor was vital as it skated down to my throat. I can taste the after flavor. I bit my tongue, then let out a loud sigh.

"What? You don't want me to drink? Who are you to stop me?" I asked him fearlessly. That earned a gasp coming from the girls, then leaning their ears on us while looking back and forth. Ethan's jaw moved excessively stiff. His fist slammed the plateau. It almost broke the wood.

"Are you challenging me, Natasha?" he threateningly asked. I sneered, then just let out a low chuckle.

"Am I?"

He doesn't know how pissed I am right now, and it's all because of him. He should learn how to read between the lines. He should know his barriers, his limitation. But what he told me disappointed me to the core.

They gave me another cup of liquor, which I gladly accepted, then drank it in front of him. It was followed by another and another until  I lost count.

"That's enough!" he shouted, making the people close to me look our way, but the music didn't stop.

"Just let her have some fun, Ajax," Criselda told him, which he didn't tune in. Ethan pushed her and then went to my side. He forcefully lifted me up from my seat.

"Let go of me!" I pushed him on his chest. He almost stumbles on his seat, looking stunned.

"Natasha, this isn't you. You got drunk, and I need you to-"

"You need me to what? Lock me in our room so you can go back to this slut and fuck her?" I pointed at Criselda, whose eyes widened, then she pointed at herself.

"What the fuck are you talking about?!" he angrily blurted, then stepped forward.

"Oh, you know what I am talking about, Ethan Ajax." I scoffed, then pushed him away. I was about to walk away when someone grabbed my arm.

"Excuse me, who are you calling a slut?!"

It all happened so fast. I just realized I was on the ground, getting harassed by Criselda. Everything went into chaos.